By Joshua Resnek
Mayor Edward “Chip” Clancy faces a test of sort Tuesday as Lynn goes to the polls in a primary that finds the mayor challenged by a newcomer David Rohnstock and Judith Flanagan Kennedy, a councilor-at-large running for mayor on stickers.
This is a test of the mayor’s strength, of the voters’ will, and it will also say something about the ability of Flanagan Kennedy to get on the ballot, which means she has to beat Rohnstock with her nascent sticker effort in order to face Clancy in the finale.
The City Council also has a full slate of incumbents and challengers, as does the School Committee.
Polls for the preliminary municipal election open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
A low turnout is expected.
It is anyone’s guess as to how the turnout will affect the outcome for incumbents and challengers during an election season when voters and homeowners appear disgruntled by their economic situation.
The write-in vote for Flanagan Kennedy is especially challenging, as her supporters must carefully make their choice known on the ballot or officials who are counting them will discard her votes.
Also, she cannot receive more than 150 write-ins in any one ward.
Write-in votes will be counted at 28 polling places throughout the city.
There are 41,000 registered voters in Lynn.
The expectation is that anywhere from 6,000 to 9,000 will turn out on Tuesday.